§37-3-18. Bond or other security.

(a) No certificate or permit shall be issued to a motor carrier or remain in force, and no motor carrier subject to the provisions of this chapter shall engage in any operation on any highway of this state, unless such carrier complies with such reasonable rules and regulations as the commission shall prescribe governing the filing and approval of surety bonds, policies of insurance, qualifications as a self-insurer or other securities or agreements, in such reasonable amounts as the commission may require, conditioned to pay, within the amount of such surety bonds, policies of insurance, qualifications as a self-insurer or other securities or agreements, any final judgment recovered against such motor carrier for bodily injuries to or the death of any person resulting from the negligent operation, maintenance or use of motor vehicles under certificate or permit or for loss or damage to property of others. The commission shall, under such rules and regulations as it shall prescribe, require any such common carrier of property other than common carriers of passengers to file a surety bond, policies of insurance, qualifications as a self-insurer or other securities or agreements in the sum to be determined by the commission, to be conditioned upon such carrier making compensation to shippers or consignees for all property belonging to shippers or consignees and coming into the possession of such carrier in connection with its transportation service, such bond to be not less than $1,000.00. Any carrier which may be required by law to compensate a shipper or consignee for any loss, damage or default for which a connecting motor carrier is legally responsible shall be subrogated to the rights of such shipper or consignee under such bond, policies of insurance or other securities or agreements to the extent of the sum so paid.

(b) In addition to all other bonds, all common carriers by motor vehicle, other than carriers of passengers, engaged in or who transport any freight or express collect on delivery under this chapter must file with the commission for the protection of the consignor and/or consignee a bond known as a collect on delivery bond in the sum of $1,000.00, such bond to be made by a surety company qualified to do business in this state.

(Acts 1939, No. 669, p. 1064, §16; Code 1958, T. 48, §301(16); Acts 1945, No. 374, p. 595.)